What about Tavon Austin at 1.1?

[CaliforniaChief]

Ok, so maybe Tavon Austin is the only one who thinks he's the best player available in the draft.

To say he's diminutive is an over statement. He's 5'8", 174 lbs. But this guy is a playmaker. Here's the write-up on him from NFL.com:


Strengths
Slot receiver possessing elite acceleration with the ball in his hands, takes advantage of available lanes to explode for big gains. Shows excellent vision both as a runner out of the backfield, as a returner, and as a receiver with the ball in his hands. Almost unstoppable at continue on for additional yardage. Not a frail receiver; plays tough, has some upper-body thickness, and bounces up quickly from hits. Varies the speed of his route, lulls defenders to sleep and takes off to create space on out routes or over the middle. Tough to grab after the catch in zone coverage. Flashes the hands to adjust to wide or high passes, as well as tracking balls over his shoulder. Also goes down to grab low throws. Displays excellent balance to tightrope the sideline. Often used on fly sweeps, using his elite quickness and acceleration to cut inside or get the corner for big plays. Finds space as a kickoff returner to use his speed, will head straight upfield and can spin off tackles in the open field to maximize the return. Can make the first man miss on punt returns and has the vision to slalom between players to the sideline or up the middle. Very difficult to track down from behind. Wins at every level of the field despite his size, and has been somewhat underutilized deep. Improved as a blocker, and will body up on bigger players.

Weaknesses
Limited to the slot on most plays; lacks the size and strength most scouts prefer outside, or even as a kick returner. Hands are good, but not exceptional; will let some hot passes through his small hands and into his chest. Gets a lot of his yardage on shallow crosses, quick throws outside, and the fly sweep/"touch pass." Might not have the chance to get the sideline as often at the next level, forcing him to lower the shoulder and get what's available to him inside. Must prove he can hang onto the ball after taking big hits from NFL defenders. Will hesitate on punt and kick returns at times instead of immediately accelerating or trusting his blocking, and can get tripped up easily on contact. Incredible balance and stop/start ability, but he might not have elite straight line speed.

NFL Comparison
Randall Cobb

Bottom Line
Don't blink when Austin has the ball in his hands, as his elite acceleration helped him finish second in the country in all-purpose yards as a senior and lead the FBS as a junior. Don't be surprised if he turns out to be a first round pick or the first wide receiver off the board, as he is a huge playmaker on offense and special teams in the NFL despite the slight build that scared scouts away from other WVU offensive stars in the past.


I think Chiefnj2 pointed out that he's the perfect kind of receiver in an Alex Smith-led offense.

And frankly, with Austin and Charles on the field at the same time, we would have more speed than most defenses could handle.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Austin at 1.1 would be borderline fireable.

I don't care how much you like him, if Cordarelle Patterson is on the board when you're looking for a WR, that's who you take.

Now if he's sitting at 10 and Patterson went 9, it's justifiable because you're getting the best available playmaker on the board at 9 and that's not the worst decision to make. But there's no way he should go ahead of Patterson; that kid's a Julio Jones, AJ Green level talent.

That's why I hope we get to trade down BUT if we don't and would take Tavon I have nooooooooooo problem with that pick. He will be ROTY in '13' is my prediction for this kid. And like CaliforniaChief said, "He is THAT GOOD"!!

I would argue that Patterson is faaaaaaaar more of a risk than Austin IMO. Austin is proven not just 1yr but 3yrs of consistent playmaking at the D1 level unlike Patterson. Patterson's maturity level bothers me. We already have 2 BIG WR Drama Queens and we sure in the hell don't need 3. But I hope Reid can reign in Baldwin and get his game on.

[CleveSteve]

I think Cordarrelle Patterson in the top 10 would be an epic mistake. Given the choice between the two, I'd take Austin in a no-brainer. You can line him up anywhere and he's going to make big plays for you. I understand that he's undersized, but Patterson is a knucklehead.

JMO.

[crazycoffey]

Trade down a few hopefully so we can get Wilson, bray, etc in two. And take this kid. I'd be happy

[philfree]

Put Austin out there with Bowe and Charles and that's about a three headed monster.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Austin at 1.1 would be borderline fireable.

I don't care how much you like him, if Cordarelle Patterson is on the board when you're looking for a WR, that's who you take.

Now if he's sitting at 10 and Patterson went 9, it's justifiable because you're getting the best available playmaker on the board at 9 and that's not the worst decision to make. But there's no way he should go ahead of Patterson; that kid's a Julio Jones, AJ Green level talent.

I bet Patterson is a bust.

[buddha]

Austin is a freak. The kid makes other speed athletes look silly.

I'm not worried about his size...there are plenty of guys in the NFL who do very well at his size or smaller.

He's just not a 1.1 pick. If you trade back and get him, terrific.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by buddha

I'm not worried about his size...there are plenty of guys in the NFL who do very well at his size or smaller.

Can you name 5 without looking them up?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by buddha

Austin is a freak. The kid makes other speed athletes look silly.

I'm not worried about his size...there are plenty of guys in the NFL who do very well at his size or smaller.

He's just not a 1.1 pick. If you trade back and get him, terrific.

I like Austin but there is no one else in the NFL at 5'8, 174 or smaller doing "well".

They're generally gadget players, like McCluster.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I bet Patterson is a bust.

It depends on where he goes in the draft but I don't see "stud", Pro Bowler, etc.

[jd1020]

DeSean Jackson is like as close as you can get to Tavon's size that you can argue is doing well.

Welker is like 190lbs. Same with Steve Smith.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

We need a kick return man that can take it to the house. If we drafted him at 1.1 I wouldn't be upset one little bit.

[Hammock Parties]

If we trade down into the teens I like him.

[buddha]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Can you name 5 without looking them up?

I get it...the looking up part would discredit the point...?

Steve Smith
Wes Welker
DeShawn Jackson
Earnest Givens
Mel Gray

Anytime a statement is made about other players being successful, there is always a douchebag waiting with that request. Thanks for keeping the streak alive jd1020.

Have you even seen Austin play?

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by buddha

I get it...the looking up part would discredit the point...?

Steve Smith
Wes Welker
DeShawn Jackson
Earnest Givens
Mel Gray

Anytime a statement is made about other players being successful, there is always a douchebag waiting with that request. Thanks for keeping the streak alive jd1020.

Have you even seen Austin play?

So you couldn't think of 5 that play right now and had to go back decades to fill the list. Also, Welker and Smith have like 20 lbs on Austin.

Glad to know there are "several" successful 5'9 170lb NFL players and that the majority don't end up as cast offs.